But then, for a variety of reasons, including wanting to support launches by other colleagues, I reluctantly rescheduled it a few times.

But this year, my 20th kick-sugar anniversary — yes, this is the year I’ll have quit sugar for two decades! — is time to host the first Sugar Shock Summit.

Most importantly, for my 20 years of Sugar Freedom, I want to publicly honor and thank the Hypoglycemia Support Foundation, whose founder, Roberta Ruggiero, was instrumental in my letting sugar go.

Rarely have I met such a selfless, kind, compassionate woman. That’s why I’ve decided that this is the year to pay back. Fully 100 percent of proceeds (minus expenses and affiliate fees) will go the support the HSF.

Now back to the Sugar Shock Summit, during which you’ll get educated, entertained and guided by a who’s who of world-renowned and bestselling experts about:

The dangers of sweets and processed carbs and other experts and how they can lead to dangerous, life-shortening diseases and conditions.

How you can get addicted to sugary foods and carbs.

How sugar overloading can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

How cutting-edge research demonstrates the link between overconsuming sugar and getting type 2 diabetes.

How to prevent a relapse and how to end a relapse before you spiral out of control. (Since late 2012, after the death of my Mom, I’ve researched and created many tools which can help you to Bounce Back After Relapse, as I shared in 2015.)

How mindful eating can help when you kick sugar

How compassion can play a major role in saving you from your sugar and carb addiction.

Initially, after I announced four years ago, some of the biggest names in the field came on board. Many of these experts, whom I’ve known for years (since before the release of my first book, Sugar Shock in 2006), agreed to participate.

But as I kept inviting more and more exciting speakers and reconnecting with health colleagues (after taking time to stand by my dying Mom), I learned about numerous launches by other esteemed experts, all of whom I greatly admire and respect.

These are people I want to support. These are also people, who can help you. So it became quickly obvious that the best thing to do was to get out of the way of my colleagues’ launches.

For instance, after inviting acclaimed nutrition and fitness expert and bestselling author JJ Virgin to participate in the Sugar World Summit, I discovered that she was launching a new book about sugar, JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet, at about the same time.